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Richmond liquor store one of few to carry vintage Californian wines

Collection includes a $3,200 bottle of Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon
vintage
This Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon chimes in at $3,200 a bottle and is one of the rare Calfornian vintages on sale in a Richmond liquor store this weekend

This Saturday, Richmond’s Brighouse BC Liquor store will be one of only a selected few in the province to stock a rare collection of Californian vintage wines.

The 2014 vintages are being released this weekend at the store on Ackroyd Road, which is one of 14 participating across B.C. and one of three carrying the largest selection.

This is the first of three special releases of wines and spirits planned for this year and includes the top-priced Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 at $3,200.

There is, however, others in the collection at a more “working person’s price” for wine lovers and collectors alike.

Customers are encouraged to arrive early to ensure access to the best selection before limited supplies sell out.

Order forms will be handed out when the doors open at the participating BC Liquor Stores for those wanting to purchase wines with bottle limits.

"These are the collectibles that go in cellars and on wine lists and have bolstered the California wine industry's reputation with customers and wine critics," said Stephen Schiedel, BC Liquor Stores' category manager responsible for selecting wines for this release.

"BC Liquor Stores are pleased to provide customers with this vintage profile - which covers variables like where the grapes were grown, the region's climate and harvest conditions, and what happened during the growing season - which is excellent from Sonoma to Napa, and elsewhere in California."

This second-annual release is comprised of 81 red wines, featuring limited allocation products, including highly rated and large-format sizes. Some products will have bottle limits on purchases.

Stephen Schiedel's top picks:

* Robert Mondavi Oakville Cabernet Franc 2014: "This varietal and vintage seems to be very aligned in their elegance, and normally only available at the winery."

* Beaulieu Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2014: "This is the opulent, rich style of Napa Valley that many know. It is well priced and will age handily for 10-plus years."

* Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena 2014: "Widely acknowledged as one of California's top reds, often seen on local restaurant wine lists for more than $500."